Book Fasano Rio de Janeiro with VIP Benefits

Opened in 2007, the hotel was Starck's first project in Brazil. Wood, glass and marble underpin the design, with furniture that draws on Brazilian work from the 1950s and 1960s. Pieces by Studio Branco&Preto and Sérgio Rodrigues sit alongside Starck's own creations. The eight-story facade follows the scale of the seafront buildings around it.

The interiors are an important part of the hotel's identity. The references belong to a period when Brazilian design and bossa nova developed their own international audience. Here, that history appears through materials, furniture and proportion. It gives the property a recognizable character beyond its beach address, with enough detail to reward an interest in design without making the rooms feel like exhibition spaces.

Views and layout are the main distinctions between the five accommodation categories. The Superior Apartment with Internal View has a king bed within its 35 square meters. The 40-square-meter Superior Partial Oceanfront category is on the first floor. It has a balcony, king or twin bedding, and adapted and connecting options.

Deluxe Oceanfront Rooms also measure 40 square meters, with balconies directly facing the sea and a choice of king or twin beds. Oceanfront Suites expand to 70 square meters, adding a living area, private bar, walk-in closet and guest toilet. Their marble bathrooms have a bathtub and separate shower.

The Deluxe Oceanfront Suite measures 130 square meters. Its large balcony, living area and workstation allow more time in the suite without staying in the bedroom. Hardwood floors, Rodrigues chairs and Starck's ear-shaped mirrors carry the design into the accommodation. Connecting options in the oceanfront categories can help families keep separate sleeping spaces close together; the exact pairing should be confirmed when reserving.

Gero Rio brings the Fasano family's Italian restaurant tradition to Ipanema. Pasta, risotto, fish and meat dishes form the core of the menu. Familiar preparations include eggplant parmigiana, carbonara and veal ravioli, with mushroom dishes and lamb extending the choice. Lunch and dinner are served here, making it possible to return from the beach for a meal without leaving the hotel.

Architect Miguel Pinto Guimarães designed the restaurant with exposed red brick, copper-toned pillars and wooden furniture. An open-air balcony connects the dining room to the neighborhood. That combination suits the cooking: recognizably Italian, with a setting that belongs to Rio. The balcony gives a different perspective from the rooftop, closer to the street and the daily movement along Ipanema.

Fasano Caffè is the hotel's breakfast venue, with both a buffet and an à la carte selection. Its 165-square-meter space includes an indoor salon and outdoor tables, accommodating up to 90 people. Breakfast can be a quick start before going out or a longer meal at a table outside, with the choice of service left to the guest.

The café also has a separate role as an event space. In the afternoon and evening it hosts private meetings, presentations and celebrations, with arrangements and catering adapted to the occasion. It should therefore be considered a breakfast address and private venue, rather than an all-day public restaurant.

The infinity pool is on the eighth-floor rooftop. From this elevated position, the panorama takes in Ipanema Beach, Arpoador, Morro Dois Irmãos and Corcovado. It is a place to swim or spend time above the seafront while keeping the city in sight. The outlook is one of the clearest differences between time at the hotel pool and time on the sand below.

The Pool Bar serves light meals, fresh-fruit juices and cocktails. Rooftop access is reserved for hotel guests, so it is part of a stay rather than a public bar to visit independently. Drinks and food can accompany a poolside break without turning it into a full restaurant meal.

Spa Fasano occupies the first floor and offers body and facial treatments. It welcomes hotel guests and outside clients. Treatments can be booked individually, while longer rituals combine several elements for those who want to spend more of the day at the spa.

Couples can share a private treatment room with two massage tables, followed by a bath with salts and oils. The Waves Ritual uses Lomi Lomi massage and an immersion bath. Another ritual starts with a flower-and-spice foot soak before a massage using warmed aromatic candles. These are distinct treatment sequences, with the choice depending on the type of massage and bathing experience preferred.

Beauty services are also available in the accommodation. The menu covers hairstyling and makeup, alongside manicures and pedicures. Keeping those appointments in the room can be useful before an evening out or a private celebration, without adding a trip to a separate salon.

The fitness center is on the ground floor, with equipment for weight training and functional exercise. Personal training can be arranged. Guests who prefer activity outdoors can ask the concierge about bicycle rental and surf lessons, extending the choice beyond the gym and pool.

The hotel arranges experiences that show different sides of Rio. A guided visit to Santa Teresa focuses on artists and their studios, while boat trips take the day onto the water. Yacht outings can include the Cagarras Islands, with the route chosen around the excursion and conditions. The city looks different from offshore, with the built-up beaches set against the hills behind them.

Helicopter tours are another option, taking in landmarks such as Christ the Redeemer, Sugarloaf Mountain and the beaches. These excursions are organized separately from the stay. They can be combined with simpler days in Ipanema, where the hotel's waterfront position leaves room for beach time without planning a full excursion.

The address is Avenida Vieira Souto 80, Ipanema. Rio's airports include Santos Dumont and Galeão International Airport; the road journey to the hotel depends on which airport is used and on traffic. Once at the hotel, the beach is across the waterfront avenue, while excursions farther into the city can begin from the same address.

For private gatherings, the hotel has a choice of settings including the rooftop, Gero Rio, Fasano Caffè, Baretto-Londra and a first-floor meeting room. Event arrangements can accommodate up to 100 people, depending on the venue and format. That range allows a stay in Ipanema to include a small meeting or celebration while retaining the same hotel base.